Iran: SAT-7 answers believer’s “Forbidden Questions”

Iran (MNN) – SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, is answering believers’ questions in Iran through its new programming on SAT-7 PARS, Forbidden Questions.

Asking Questions

Through social media apps, Iranians have been asking SAT-7 PARS questions about their newfound faith. What are they asking? SAT-7 PARS Executive Director Panayiotis Kenaan shares:

Photo Courtesy SAT-7

“They would ask, ‘Can I do something so bad that God would never forgive me,’ or ‘Why do bad things happen to good people,’ or ‘Is sex outside marriage wrong?’”

Forbidden Questions, previously titled, Can I Ask That?, aims to answer the most often asked questions the organization receives. If SAT-7 PARS were to answer all of the questions, Kenaan says the programing would be at least 30 hours long. And at the moment, that’s not doable. However, answering frequently asked questions is a soft spot.

Why It Matters

A lot of these believers come from a Muslim background where they’re taught to not ask questions about their faith. If they do, then they’re questioning Allah. But, Forbidden Questions is a safe place for these new believers to ask questions. And for some if they’re too afraid to ask a question, it may be answered by the programming.

Yet, when these Iranians decide to seek out answers, Christian churches aren’t legal in Iran. The internet is monitored to an extent which prevents researching Christianity or the Gospel online. So, unless a new believer has direct access to an underground church, it’s hard to find a Christian to answer these questions. This makes it significantly harder for new believers to grow in their faith. It also leaves them at risk of reverting to old habits and lifestyles.

(Photo Courtesy Sat-7 via Facebook)

“The people inside Iran are young believers, so very very immature believers. The first questions they will ask are very simple questions,” Kenaan explains.

“So, if we cannot answer those simple questions and build on those simple questions, there is no way for them to have a deeper spiritual life. Because if these basic questions are not addressed, then the ground we are building is not solid enough.”

Get Involved

With that said, his ground needs to be firm before further building, such as learning deeper theology, can take place. And currently, SAT-7 PARS is one of the few and efficient ways the Gospel and discipleship are entering Iran.

So please, if you would, pray for these new believers, their understanding of God’s word, and for their faith to mature. Pray for SAT-7’s viewers, their support, and the Gospel’s impact in their lives and the rest of the country.